Abstract
Transforming growth factor $-{\beta}$ is one of the polypeptide growth factors that mediate the activity of mesenchymal cells and regulate wound healing process via cell proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix formation. The purposes of this study is to evaluate the effects of transforming growth factor $-{\beta}$ on the protein synthetic activity of human periodontal ligament cells and human gingival fibroblasts. The cells which were prepared were primary cultured gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells from humans, and the fourth or sixth subpassage were used in the experiments. Cells were seeded and at a confluent state, 0, 0.5, I, 2.5, 5, 10 ng/ml $TGF-{\beta}$ and $2{\mu]Ci/ml\;[^3H]$ proline were added to the cells and cultured for 24 hours. Then, 1 and 5 ng/ml concentrations were selected and added to confluent cells and cultured for 24 and 48 hours. They were labeled with $2{\mu}Ci/ml\;[^3H]$ proline for 24 hours and a collagen assay was done by the Peterkofsky and Diegelman method. The results were presented as the mean disintegration per minute (dpm) per well and S.D. of four determinations, The results were as follows. : The total protein, collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis in periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts were increased dose- dependently by transforming growth factor-p to 2.5-5 ng/ml concentration and decreased at 10 ng/ml concentration. The percent of collagen was slightly changed according to the concentration of transforming growth factor-po The effect of transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ was not specific for collagen synthesis since it increased the total, noncollagenous and collagenous protein, simultaneously. In the comparison of protein synthetic activity between the human periodontal ligament cells and human gingival fibroblasts, the human gingival fibroblasts had higher activities than the human periodontal ligament cells at all times and concentrations of $TGF-{\beta}$. In the comparison of protein synthetic activity between the 24 hour effect and the 48 hour effect of $TGF-{\beta}$, the 48 hour cultured cells' synthetic activity decreased more than the 24 hour cultured cells at human periodontal ligament cells and human gingival fibroblasts. In conclusion, $TGF-{\beta}$ has important roles in the stimulation of protein synthesis in human periodontal ligament cells and human gingival fibroblasts. Thus, it may be useful for clinical application in periodontal regenerative procedures.
(Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University)
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